3 Dating Excuses We Just Don't Buy

Hello there, single ladies. Yes, that's right. We're looking at you. Not to worry, though. We are fully on your side. But we also did listen intently at a recent gathering of our dinner club, comprising working women who are single, attractive, smart and successful (catches, one might say) to what you were saying.

To be clear, there is nothing wrong with being single...nothing at all. If, however, that's what you willingly choose to be. When we hear, though, in one breath a woman mention how much she'd like to meet someone, followed mere seconds later by her rattling off all the reasons why it's full-stop impossible right now, we throw our hands up in the air. These are three top can't-date excuses that, sorry gang, we're just not buying. Now. Tomorrow. Ever. Don't hate us. We're just saying: the world is ripe with opportunity. Are you open to it?

1) I'm too busy. We recently had a friend we wanted to set up with a brilliant, handsome man tell us, "Not this month. Maybe in August." Hold on. What did she say? News flash, in our ADD-inspired times a lot of people are finding themselves increasingly strapped for time, failing to break away from beeping devices and humming laptops. It's good to be programmed to succeed. Props to that. And every woman of our times struggles to find the right balance in her life. But when existence starts to center entirely on work, it's time to yank the batteries from your cell phone. We're humans; we're not machines. When you find yourself hard-wired for work, force yourself to slip out of to-do-list mode. Call your girls, throw on a flirty dress and go out. Set yourself a minimum of meeting at least three new people (even if it's a brief hello while in line for the bathroom). We're not saying you have to marry the guy who's in front of you in line. We are saying: be open to the possibility of meeting anyone, anywhere, anytime.5 Things Single Women Hate To Hear

2) I'm not spending on myself right now. We understand. This translates to: hey, it's expensive to look amazing. Trust us. We hear you, sisters. Haircuts, manicures, pedicures, skinny jeans, knockout shoes and a rack of to-die-for dresses. Oh, and earrings that shimmer, too. Looking phenomenal does cost some bucks. But let us point out two things. This economy? You're not muddling through it alone. The whole country is facing these cash-strapped times. You're not the only one cutting back on the number of haircuts you get or refraining from highlights for a few months. Secondly, a lot of good men could care less what your shoes look like. The proof? Well, not that we were eaves-dropping (it's called research, okay?) but our neighbor, who talks very loudly we might add, recently was on the fire escape yapping away about how he pays no notice to the kinds of shoes his woman wears. He laughed out loud as he recalled that he's never once heard any guy say, ever, "Look at the shoes on her!" We were smiling brightly. Good neighbor. We like you. Bottom line: Don't hide away in recession depression. Get out there, be yourself, meet some men—no matter how scruffy your Stilletos.

3) I'm involved in too many projects. Okay, we get it. You have passions. That you're engaged in your hobbies is what we love about you. So, how about joining a few other people who share those likes and interests? Just think how inspiring it could be if, say you enjoy nothing more than trolling Good Will stores on Saturdays for unlikely baubles to display in your apartment. Then you meet a man whose little known secret is that he, too, likes scouring Good Will shelves for oddball items that somehow intrigue. We say, join a few clubs, sign up for more gatherings and events related to your passions, and by all means, when eying the wares at the thrift store, keep a look out for cute men around you doing the exact same thing. When you see one, why not perform an operation "Oops, did I drop my vintage-style mini on your dusty old book?" Hmm, why not give yourself the thrift-store challenge...this weekend?